Frans Eemil Sillanpää (pronunciation(help·info)) (16 September 1888 – 3 June 1964) was one of the most famous Finnish writers and in 1939 became the first Finnish writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize for literature "for his deep understanding of his country's peasantry and the exquisite art with which he has portrayed their way of life and their relationship with Nature".[1]

Five years later, in 1913 Sillanpää moved from Helsinki to his old home village and devoted himself to writing.[4] In 1914 Sillanpää wrote articles for the newspaper Uusi Suometar.[2] In 1916 Sillanpää married Sigrid Maria Salomäki, whom he had met in 1914.[2]

By principle, Sillanpää was against all forms of violence and believed in scientific optimism.[5] In his work he portrayed rural people as living united with the land.[2]

The novel Hurskas kurjuus (Meek Heritage) (1919) depicted the reasons for Finnish Civil War and despite its objectivity was controversial at the time.[6]

Sillanpää won international fame for his novel Nuorena nukkunut (translated to English as The Maid Silja) in 1931.

In 1939, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "for his deep understanding of his country's peasantry and the exquisite art with which he has portrayed their way of life and their relationship with Nature."[7] A few days after receiving the prize talks between Finland and Soviet Union broke down and the Winter War began.[3][8] Sillanpää donated the golden medal to be melted for funds to aid the war effort.[8]

In 1939 his wife Sigrid died of pneumonia leaving eight children with Sillanpää.[3] Some time after, Sillanpää married his secretary Anna von Hertzen and traveled to Stockholm to receive the Nobel prize.[3]

In 1941 Sillanpää divorced his wife Anna. His alcoholism and other ailments needed hospital treatment. In 1943 he returned to public life as a bearded old 'Grandpa Sillanpää'. His radio appearances, especially his tradition of talking on Christmas Eve from 1945 to 1963 became very popular.[10]